AU2011230022B2

AU2011230022B2 - Three-dimensional goods storage arrangement in which the space taken up by the goods is reduced in relation to the goods storage capacity

Info

Publication number: AU2011230022B2
Application number: AU2011230022A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bo Lindblom
Original assignee: Logevo AB
Current assignee: Logevo AB
Priority date: 2010-03-25
Filing date: 2011-02-28
Publication date: 2014-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2031-02-28
Also published as: US20130006412A1; EP2550214A1; CN102803100B; MY163085A; SE535646C2; NZ602192A; CN102803100A; EP2550214B1; EP2550214A4; AU2011230022A1; SE1000287A1; US8725287B2; WO2011119083A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a three-dimensional goods storage arrangement (1) which comprises a system of beams with a number of levels and, arranged in these and extending in two main directions (5, 7), passages/channels (3, 6) for goods. A lift (9) is included together with transport elements (4, 8) and is controlled by control elements and sensors (14). The elements (14) comprise means (15a) for automated transfer of goods. Each level or section thereof comprises a passage or channel (3) extending in the first main direction. A carriage (4) can be driven so as to be able to position the carriage in line with a number of second passages or channels (6, 6', 6''), which are located alongside one another and which extend in the second main direction (7). A satellite can be driven onto or off of the carriage at the respective second passage or channel. A selected second passage or channel (6'''), at its end facing away from the first passage or channel, is designed to allow goods to be input into and output from the level or the level section via the lift (9) thereof and by means of the associated satellite (8). Said means comprise receiving elements (15b) for time or date information concerning the arrival and expected dispatch of the goods in question and, with this information, can influence the automated transfer of goods in order to shorten the time at dispatch. Said time or date information is included in a first-in and last-out set-up for said transfer of goods. The invention solves the problem of achieving a compact arrangement with large storage capacity and short arrival and dispatch times for the goods.

Description

1 THREE-DIMENSIONAL GOODS STORAGE ARRANGEMENT IN WHICH THE SPACE TAKEN UP BY THE GOODS IS REDUCED IN RELATION TO THE GOODS STORAGE CAPACITY. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to a three-dimensional goods storage arrangement in which the space taken up by the goods is reduced in relation to the goods storage capacity. 10 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The arrangement comprises a system of beams with two or more levels and, arranged in these and extending in two main directions, passages/channels for goods. First transport elements in the form of one or more lifts, which are applied 15 to the system of beams, are movable between the levels, and second transport elements are included for transport to and from selected locations in the passages/channels for the goods. Control elements and sensors for controlling the first and second transport elements are also included. Said passages/channels have extents which, even when the goods are placed tightly 20 together, permit short dispatch times for the goods. The control elements and sensors also comprise means for automated transfer of goods. Each level or section thereof comprises only one passage or channel extending in the first main direction. The first passage or channel is provided with a first path or track. A carriage belonging to the second transport elements is provided with first drive 25 elements, by means of which the carriage can be driven on the first path or track in order to be able to position the carriage in line with a number of second passages or channels which are located alongside one another and which extend in the second main direction. The second passages or channels are provided with second paths or tracks. One or more satellites are provided, each with a second 30 drive element by means of which each satellite can be driven on each second path or track. The carriage has support elements for each satellite that can be driven onto or off of the carriage at each second passage or channel. One passage or channel of the second passages or WO 2011/119083 PCT/SE20111/000040 -2 channels, at its end facing away from the first passage or channel, is designed to allow goods to be input into and output from the level or the level section via the lift thereof and by means of the associated satellite. 5 Such arrangements can be regarded as being already known at least in part, and reference is made, inter alia, to the goods storage systems marketed by the same applicant filing the present invention. In purely 10 general terms, reference is also made to EP0894740 Al, JP61229705 A, EP 1627830 Al and US4732524 A. Thus, for example, it is known to use so-called satellites (also referred to as shuttles) in the system 15 or arrangement. The satellites are provided with batteries for driving them in the system or arrangement. They are also under wireless control from a control unit that can comprise computer equipment with control elements such as mouse, keyboard, etc. The 20 satellites are of a kind which, in a manner known per se, can be driven in under the actual goods item, e.g. pallets with goods, and which, by means of associated support elements, are able to lift the pallet or the goods item and transport the latter between different 25 locations in the system. The transport or transfer carriages in the system are provided with electrical driving and controlling elements which can be supplied with electricity via fixed electrical connections. Alternatively, the carriages can also be provided with 30 batteries and controlled via wireless connections. The goods item can be on a pallet or not on a pallet. Said computer equipment can be provided with control means that can include programs for controlling the 35 carriages and the satellites and are thus able, by means of these programs, to effect automated transfer of goods in the arrangement/system.

3 In this type of arrangement, there is a great need to achieve small floor space in relation to the storage capacity of the arrangement. There is also a requirement to obtain a high degree of automation and optimized connections to computer systems (WMS). The goods must be able to be handled safely, and the need for 5 forklift trucks must be eliminated. If the goods are carried on pallets, the system must be able to be easily adapted to different pallet sizes. There are also great demands for user-friendliness, for example the importance of a reliable degree of recognition of the goods. The arrangement must be able to be expanded, and the capacity must be able to be increased with the aid of a greater number of lifts, 10 transfer carriages and satellites. It is desirable to solve one or more, preferably all, of these problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 15 The feature that can principally be regarded as characterizing an arrangement according to the invention is that said time or date information for the automated transfer of goods/restowing of goods is included in a first-in and last-out set-up for the automated transfer of goods/ restowing of goods. Moreover, each lift is 20 provided with goods input elements which, at a high input speed for the goods item, drive the latter into the second passage or channel at the same time as the satellite works with a goods entry capacity that is below said input speed. Each lift can be provided with goods output elements which, at a high output speed by means of the satellite or satellites, drive the goods out when the satellite or the 25 satellites work with a goods output capacity that exceeds the output capacity of the lift. Finally, the means comprises a control function which reverses the order of the first-received goods item, which has been placed farthest inside a second passage, with subsequent goods items that have been placed outside the first received goods item. 30 In developments of the inventive concept, a function for the transfer of goods includes a goods transfer strategy that increases the accessibility to the goods item relevant to an upcoming or current dispatch from the system. The goods 4 transfer strategy comprises carrying out the transfer of goods during selected time periods, e.g. night time, holidays, etc. Each goods item or pallet can be marked by means of the control elements and sensors, e.g. by means of a mouse included in these. The arrangement can be expanded by means of the levels 5 being divided into level sections with one or more lifts, one carriage and, serving the latter, one or more satellites, e.g. 2-5 satellites. The support elements on the carriage for each satellite can comprise a first plate, and each satellite can have lifting elements that can be lowered under each pallet or goods item and can be elevated for lifting the pallet or the goods item. The lift can be designed with set 10 down elements for goods that can be collected when the lift is sent to another level. By means of what has been proposed above, it could be possible to achieve an arrangement which has great capacity, small space requirements in relation to 15 the capacity, and integration with existing computerized systems. The control is simple, and conventional programs can be used for the control between periods of use and idle times (nights, holidays, lunch breaks, etc.). An aspect of the present invention provides a three-dimensional goods storage 20 arrangement in which the space taken up by the goods is reduced in relation to the goods storage capacity and which includes a system of beams with two or more levels and, arranged in these and extending in two main directions, passages/channels for goods, first transport elements in the form of one or more lifts which are applied to the system of beams and which are movable between 25 the levels, second transport elements for transport to and from selected locations in the passages/channels for the goods, and control elements and sensors for controlling the first and second transport elements, wherein said passages/channels have extents which, even when the goods are placed tightly together, permit short dispatch times, said control elements and sensors include 30 means for arrival and dispatch of goods, each level or section thereof includes only one first passage or channel extending in the first main direction, the first passage or channel is provided with a first path or track, a carriage belonging to the second transport elements is provided with first drive elements, by means of 4a which the carriage can be driven on the first path or track in order to be able to position the carriage in line with a number of second passages or channels which are located alongside one another and which extend in the second main direction, the second passages or channels are provided with second paths or tracks, one 5 or more satellites are provided, each with a second drive element, by means of which each satellite can be driven on each second path or track, said carriage has support elements for each satellite that can be driven onto or off of the carriage at each second passage or channel, one passage or channel of the second passages or channels, at its end facing away from the first passage or 10 channel, is designed to allow goods to be input into and output from the level or the level section via the lift thereof and by means of each satellite, wherein said means for arrival and dispatch of goods include receiving members for time or date information concerning the arrival and expected dispatch of the 15 goods in question and, with this information, can influence an automated transfer/ restowing of goods in order to shorten the time at dispatch, wherein said time or date information for the automated transfer/restowing of goods is included in a first-in and last-out set-up for the automated 20 transfer/restowing of goods, wherein said one passage or channel of the second passage or channels includes parallel rails, 25 wherein said one passage or channel of the second passages or channels includes a shorter track section at the lift, wherein each lift is provided with track parts forming goods input and goods output elements and extending at each level in line with said parallel rails and 30 said shorter track section, 4b wherein said goods input and goods output elements include chain conveyers arranged on said shorter track section and chain drives arranged on said track parts, 5 wherein the means includes a control function which reverses the order of the first-received goods item that has been placed far inside the second passage, with subsequent goods items having been placed outside the first-received goods item, and 10 wherein each carriage includes charging elements for the satellite battery or batteries and for charging these when the satellite is located on the carriage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15 A presently proposed embodiment having the significant features of the invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a schematic horizontal view of a level or a level section of a goods storage arrangement, including carriage and shuttle WO 2011/119083 PCT/SE2011/000040 and passages or channels together with lift position and computerized control elements and sensors, 5 Figure 2 shows a schematic horizontal view illustrating that the control elements and sensors can also comprise equipment carried by an operator, 10 Figure 3 shows a perspective view of parts included in the arrangement, seen obliquely from above and from the left, Figure 4 shows, in a perspective view seen obliquely 15 from above and from the left, parts of the arrangement in Figure 3 including beams and details of the lift arrangement, Figure 5 shows, in a perspective view seen obliquely 20 from above and from the left, a system of beams included in the arrangement with carriage, satellite and lift arrangement mounted on a partially indicated floor surface, 25 Figure 6 shows a side view of, on the one hand, a carriage carrying a satellite with loaded goods, and, on the other hand, first and second positions for a satellite with loaded 30 goods when driven off the carriage, Figure 7 shows a schematic horizontal view of first positions for goods, 35 Figure 8 shows a schematic horizontal view of second positions for the goods after the transfer function, and 6 Figure 9 shows a schematic horizontal view of the tracking and control of the control elements and sensors in the transfer function. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 5 Figure 1 represents a goods storage arrangement of one level 2. In the present case, one complete level 2 of a first size is shown. The level can also represent a section within a level of a second size which is greater than the first size and forms the level together with shown or not shown further levels. Each further level 10 has in principle the same configuration as the one shown in Figure 1. A first passage or channel 3 intended for a transport or transfer carriage 4 is arranged in the level or section 2. Said passage or channel 4 extends in a first main direction 5. The level or the level section is also provided with second passages or channels 6, 6', 6", etc., which are positioned closely adjacent to one another and 15 which extend in a second main direction 7 preferably at right angles to the first main direction. The second passages or channels are located on both side of the first passage or channel. The second passages or channels are intended for a satellite (shuttle) 8. The drivable carriage 4 can be positioned in line with each passage or channel. In a selected second passage or channel 6''' , at the end 6g 20 of said passage or channel facing away from the first passage or channel, there is a lift 9, by means of or via which goods (not shown) can be driven into and out of the level or level section. The input and output capacities of the lift can be greater than or less than the input and output speeds of the satellite or satellites. Each satellite 9 can be driven in under the respective goods item which, in the case 25 described, is situated on a pallet under which the satellite can drive in and lift the pallet together with the loaded goods. The satellite 8 can be driven onto and off of the carriage 4 when the latter is positioned in line with the relevant second passage or WO 2011/119083 PCT/SE2011/000040 channel in which the satellite is located. The satellite can thus be transported by the carriage 4 to the channel 6''' and collect goods from the lift 9 and be driven back to the carriage 4 which transports it to 5 the mouth of the second passage or channel in which the collected goods item is to be placed. Having conveyed said goods to a selected location, the satellite can be made to collect new goods, etc. The satellite can also perform the opposite function and collect a load and 10 deposit it on the lift with the aid of the carriage. The satellite and the carriage can also be made to collect and deposit goods between different second passages and channels and in this way transfer the goods or the pallets between different locations in the 15 second passages or channels. Figure 1 shows the case where goods/pallets 10, 11, 12 and 13 have been placed in the second passages or channels 6'''' and 6'''''. The positions of the goods/pallets and carriage and 20 satellite/satellites are detected and controlled by control elements and sensors which, in the case shown, comprise a CPU 15 and an associated screen 16 with keyboard 17 and operating elements, e.g. mouse 18, voice control, pen control, etc. The computer unit/CPU 25 comprises a means in the form of a program of conventional type. The program, the memory and time controllers are shown symbolically by 15a, 15b and 15c, respectively. According to Figure 1, the CPU controls, on the one hand, the carriage 4 via a connection 19, 30 which can be wired or wireless, and, on the other hand, the lift 9 via a connection 20, which can likewise be wired or wireless. The CPU can start up the computer screen 16 via a wireless or wired connection 21. In the present case, the computer screen has been made to 35 present the positions 10', 11', 12', 13' for the goods or pallets introduced, and also the positions 8' and 9' of the satellite 8 and lift 9. Different images and situations can be presented on the screen 16 with the WO 2011/119083 PCT/SE2011/000040 -8 aid of the keyboard 8' and the element 18. The connection between keyboard and computer screen is shown by 22, and the connection between the element 18 and the screen 16 is shown by 23. The reference sign 24 5 indicates that the satellite is movable in both directions in the second passages or channels. Figure 2 is intended to show that the control and sensor functions can also be performed by means of a 10 control unit 25 that forms part of said control elements and sensors and that can be carried by an operator. Said sensor and control functions are provided for all 15 the carriages, satellites and lifts in the different levels and/or level sections of the arrangement. The carriages are represented here by 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, the satellites by 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d, and the lifts by 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d. The connections between the screen 20 16 and the carriages are represented by 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d, the connections between the screen and the lifts by 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d. The wireless connections activated in Figure 2 between the unit 25 and the carriage 4a, satellite 8a and lift 9c are 25 indicated by 26, 27 and 28, respectively. Moreover, wireless connections 29, 30, 31 and 32 can be present between the carriages and the satellites in the different levels or sections. The other reference signs correspond to those in Figure 1. 30 Figures 3, 4 and 5 are intended to show a specific illustrative embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention. The arrangement comprises a system of beams with a lift shaft or lift space 33, which has 35 vertical bars 33' and 33''. A second passage or channel is represented by means of a track or path that comprises parallel rails 34, 35.

WO 2011/119083 PCT/SE2011/000040 -9 At the lift shaft, the system of beams is provided with a shorter track section whose rails have been indicated by 34a and 34b, which are provided with a chain conveyor function, indicated by drive chains 34c and 5 34d. A corresponding track or path in the first passage or channel is indicated by 36, 37. A carriage that can be driven on the last-mentioned track or path is shown by 10 38, and a satellite that can be driven onto and off of the carriage is shown by 39. The carriage 38 is provided with side parts 38a and 38b. The carriage is provided with electric drive elements 38c which, in the present case, are driven from the electricity network 15 via an electrical cable (not shown). The satellite 39 is provided with a battery 39a, and its wheels bearing on the track are represented by the wheel 39b. The support elements on the carriage for the 20 satellite attach to the track or path of the satellite in the position in line with the respective second passage or channel. The attachment of the level or of the level section to 25 a lift 40 in the lift shaft 33 is shown by 40. The lift 40 comprises track parts 40a, 40b that can be positioned in line with the track 34, 35 of the satellite. The continuation track has a chain drive 40c and 40d, which can be activated in the absence of the 30 satellite during the input/output movements discussed above. The track parts 34a and 34b can be positioned in line with the track parts 40a and 40b of the lift, and the chain drive 34c and 34d can be positioned in line with the chain drives 40a and 40d. The satellite can 35 collect or deposit the goods item on the track parts 34a or on the track parts 40a and 40b. The satellite can drive in underneath the goods item and lift the latter or can lower the goods item onto the chain WO 2011/119083 PCT/SE2011/000040 - 10 drives. The lift or lift cage is driven in the vertical direction on the track 33' and 33'' by a chain drive 33''. 5 Figure 4 shows part of the system of beams mounted on a ground surface (floor) 41, which is designed with recesses 42 for insertion of beams. The erection has been completed in Figure 5. 10 Figure 6 is intended to show, in the middle part of the figure, the carriage 4 with a satellite that is driven on and that carries goods 43. The carriage rails or track are designated by 36 and 37 (cf. Figures 3-5) and extend at right angles to the plane of the figure. The 15 track or path of the satellite is shown by 35 (cf. Figures 3-5). The left-hand part of the figure represents the case where the satellite has been driven off the carriage towards the left, and the right-hand part of the figure represents the case where the 20 satellite has been driven off the carriage towards the right in a second passage or channel which is in line with the left passage or channel. Two of the four satellite wheels that can cooperate with the track or path are indicated by 44 and 45, and two of the four 25 wheels of the carriage are shown by 46 and 47. Figures 7, 8 and 9 show the case where a goods unit that has been driven in has been placed in a second passage or channel depending on the date of entry. 30 Goods of an earlier date have been placed far inside the second passage or channel, and, the earlier the date the entry took place, the farther inside the channel. Thus, in the example shown according to Figure 7, goods entered on 02-01-2010 are in a position 35 farthest inside a first second passage or channel and are followed by goods that were entered on 03-01-2010, 04-01-2010, 05-01-2010 and 06-01-2010. By means of the invention, the order can be reversed by using a second WO 2011/119083 PCT/SE2011/000040 - 11 second passage or channel, e.g. an opposite channel. Figure 8 shows this having been done and with said goods items present in reverse order, wherein the goods item entered on 06-01-2010 lies farthest inside the 5 selected new second passage or channel, etc. Figures 7 and 8 also illustrate that the goods item 48 in a second passage or channel can be transferred to a second passage or channel that accommodates the goods 49, 50 and 51. With the aid of the restowing function, 10 a goods item that entered first and was therefore placed far inside the system is assigned a position in which accessibility to the goods item greatly increases and the goods item is much easier, from the point of view of time, to ship out with the aid of the carriage. 15 A great deal of time is thus saved, and considerable packing possibilities can be achieved. Figure 9 illustrates the function for the automated restowing according to Figures 7 and 8. The 20 corresponding positions that are desired, and that are to be shown on the keyboard, have been indicated by 48', 49', 50' and 51'. The reversed order has been indicated by the dates 02-01-2010 and 06-01-2010. 25 Each carriage comprises charging elements 39a for the satellite batteries, and charging takes place when the satellite assumes its position on the carriage. The lift deposits the goods it is carrying, and the satellite can collect the goods when the lift takes up 30 a position at another level. The system of beams is indicated overall by 52. The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown above and instead can be modified within the scope of 35 the attached claims and the description.

Claims

1. Three-dimensional goods storage arrangement in which the space taken up by the goods is reduced in relation to the goods storage capacity and which includes a system of beams with two or more levels and, arranged in these and 5 extending in two main directions, passages/channels for goods, first transport elements in the form of one or more lifts which are applied to the system of beams and which are movable between the levels, second transport elements for transport to and from selected locations in the passages/channels for the goods, and control elements and sensors for controlling the first and second transport 10 elements, wherein said passages/channels have extents which, even when the goods are placed tightly together, permit short dispatch times, said control elements and sensors include means for arrival and dispatch of goods, each level or section thereof includes only one first passage or channel extending in the first main direction, the first passage or channel is provided with a first path or track, a 15 carriage belonging to the second transport elements is provided with first drive elements, by means of which the carriage can be driven on the first path or track in order to be able to position the carriage in line with a number of second passages or channels which are located alongside one another and which extend in the second main direction, the second passages or channels are provided with 20 second paths or tracks, one or more satellites are provided, each with a second drive element, by means of which each satellite can be driven on each second path or track, said carriage has support elements for each satellite that can be driven onto or off of the carriage at each second passage or channel, one passage or channel of the second passages or channels, at its end facing away 25 from the first passage or channel, is designed to allow goods to be input into and output from the level or the level section via the lift thereof and by means of each satellite, wherein said means for arrival and dispatch of goods include receiving members for time or date information concerning the arrival and expected dispatch of the 30 goods in question and, with this information, can influence an automated transfer/ restowing of goods in order to shorten the time at dispatch, 13 wherein said time or date information for the automated transfer/restowing of goods is included in a first-in and last-out set-up for the automated transfer/restowing of goods, wherein said one passage or channel of the second passage or channels 5 includes parallel rails, wherein said one passage or channel of the second passages or channels includes a shorter track section at the lift, 10 wherein each lift is provided with track parts forming goods input and goods output elements and extending at each level in line with said parallel rails and said shorter track section, wherein said goods input and goods output elements include chain conveyers 15 arranged on said shorter track section and chain drives arranged on said track parts, wherein the means includes a control function which reverses the order of the first-received goods item that has been placed far inside the second passage, 20 with subsequent goods items having been placed outside the first-received goods item, and wherein each carriage includes charging elements for the satellite battery or batteries and for charging these when the satellite is located on the carriage. 25

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the function for transfer of goods includes a goods transfer strategy that increases the accessibility of the goods item that is relevant to an upcoming or current dispatch from the system, and wherein the goods transfer strategy includes carrying out the transfer of goods during selected time periods, for example night time, holidays. 14

3. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each goods item or pallet can be marked by means of the control elements and sensors.

4. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein it can be expanded by the levels being divided into two or more level sections and having one or more lifts, 5 one carriage, and, serving the latter, one or more satellites.

5. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the support elements of the carriage for each satellite include a first plate, and wherein each satellite has lifting elements that can be lowered under each pallet or goods item and can be elevated in order to lift the pallet or the goods item. 10

6. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the lift is designed with set down elements for goods that can be collected when the lift is sent to another level.

7. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the control function of the control means includes, on the one hand, that each goods item, when introduced 15 into a first second passage or channel, obtains a position farther in than a subsequent goods item, and, on the other hand, that the position of goods inserted one after another in a row can be reversed using a second second passage or channel.

8. Three-dimensional goods storage arrangement in which the space taken 20 up by the goods is reduced in relation to the goods storage capacity substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures. TEXO APPLICATION AB WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEYS P36530AU00